Caltrain bicycle access
Onboard
Bicycles can be carried onboard Caltrain with no extra charge. It is a very popular option for some riders because they can go from the station to their homes and offices quickly without having to drive, walk, or take transit.
Bikes are permitted only on the designated bike cars. On every trip, two bike cars are available. For electric trains, they're located at 3rd and 6th car position from the north). The bike cars can be identified a large bicycle symbol on the door. Each car can hold 36 bicycles. If the space is full, bicyclists will have to wait for the next train, unless they have a folding bike.
On diesel trains, each red/light grey "Bombardier" bike car can hold 24 bikes.
Train arrangement
Electric trainsets:
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| Cab car | Bike car | Non-bike car | Non-bike car | Bike car | ADA, restroom car | Cab car |
| < South to San Jose | North to San Francisco > | |||||
Bombardier trainsets (used on South County Connector between Gilroy and San Jose):
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| Locomotive | Non-bike car | ADA car | Bike car/cab car |
| < South to Gilroy | North to San Jose > | ||
- Locomotive (diesel trains) - Always faces southbound toward San Jose
- Non-bike car - Any car that's not a luggage car, ADA car, or bike car is a non-bike car.
- Bike car - Two bike cars available on electric trains: one next to south end cab car, another next to ADA car.
- ADA car - This car is positioned to meet with mini-high platforms for loading. A large accessible restroom is always available next to the wheelchair area.
- Bike car/cab car (diesel trains) - every train has a bike car facing north.
- Cab car (electric trains) - No bikes.
Rules & Etiquette
- Bikes must be strapped to the bike racks with the provided bungee cords, with no more than 4 bikes per rack. Some conductors will bend this a bit because the rule is for safety and often 5 can be stored without blocking the isles.
- Place a tag on your bike identifying the stations you travel between. Caltrain provides vinyl bike tags which can be picked up stations with staffed information counters and often from conductors on board the train. However you can also make your own tags using an old plastic badge holder: Caltrain bike tags
- Stack bikes in the order they will be removed. When you secure your bike, check the tags of other bikes, placing your bike only in front of other which will be getting off after you.
- Wait on the platform by the area that closest to the bike car. That area is located south of the ADA boarding area marked by a blue square on the platform.
- Bicyclists board and exit the bike car first. If you are not a bicyclist, avoid boarding and exiting the bike car to reduce crowding there.
- Do not lock your bike. Use of bike locks is prohibited on board Caltrain.
Bike stations
At present, only 4th & King Station provides staffed valet bike parking.
Day use bike lockers (BikeLink) and shared storage is available at many other stops.
